Highest ever participation for 10th Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya

Published: Monday, September 29, 2008, 18:42 [IST]

Subscribe to Oneindia News

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) The 10th edition of the Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, India's longest, highest and most strenuous motorsport event, which will see around 150 teams in the fray, the maximum ever participation in the history of this event, will be flagged off on October 2 from Shimla.

The eight-day event will end on October 9 at Leh.

Some 250 motorsport enthusiasts across three categories - 80 in X-treme (for professionals), 130 in Adventure Trial (for amateurs) and 40 in the third category for 2-wheelers will vie for the coveted title.

Among the participants will be eight doughty women rallyists.

Klaudia Honeder from Austria will be participating for the second time in the 2-wheeler category, a release issued here today stated.

Maruti Suzuki Raid-de-Himalaya, listed on the off-road rallies calendar of Switzerland-based FIM (Federation Internationale Motorcyclisme), is the only Indian motorsport event that draws attention from the international rallying circuit.

This year, the Raid will cover a distance of approx 2,400 kms, spread over 8 legs in eight days. The rally will be flagged from Shimla and will traverse through Manali, Kaza, Patseo, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar to culminate in Leh.

The Raid will pass through some of the most inhospitable terrains in the Western Himalayas. It will climb over some of the highest motorable passes in the world including the Tanglang La, the second highest motorable passes in the world. Other lofty mountain passes including Jalori Pass, Rohtang Pass, Kunzum La, and the formidable Baralacha La are part of this year's challenge, the release added.

The rally routes will be different for participants in X-treme and Adventure Trial this time.